Point One Racing Split Second Stem
Point One Racing is not an unknown name in the industry. Started by 2 racers' need for race worthy parts that are not only strong, but extremely light. Recently we got our hands on the Split Second stem from Point One, which has a very unique design, and some interesting characteristics.
Read on for more information on the Split Second...Point One Racing is known for making parts that are light weight, but ridiculously stiff. Point One prides themselves on how responsive and reliable their parts are, even though they are trying their hardest for weight savings. CNC'd 100% in the USA, the Split Second stem weights in at a meager 137 grams for the 31.8mm clamping diameter, and 125g for the 25.4 clamping diameter.
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Machined with zero degrees of rise and 50mm of reach the Split Second stem gets the rider directly out in front of the bike, making it responsive, but not to short. 50mm seems to be the comfort zone for stems these days. Machined out of aluminum using advanced manufacturing techniques Point One ensures, and can prove through testing, that its stiffness to weight ratio is superior to many options out there. Point One Claims the Split Second to have a stiffness ratio of 8.349 inch pounds per gram.
"The tests are to measure the stems torsional rigidity, or stiffness. So you could say that with 150lbs of force at the end of the handle bar, the stem only flexes 1/10th of an inch at the point of application. We conducted this test with a lot of different stems, then we compared how much each stem flexed to their weight. That’s where the 8.349 number comes from: the stiffness in in/lbs compared to the weight in grams, where stiffness is defined to be proportional to the slope of the graph of the force-deflection curve… " -Point One Racing
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Point One's Split Second stem uses a 55mm handlebar clamping width, meaning its clamping width is slightly wider than others to displace the impacts more, and resist slipping. The Split Second also uses an integrated top cap design, something some riders may not approve of, however ensures even more weight savings, approximately 20 grams. The only downside to this system is the fact you are forced to cut your head tube in order to use the stem at a specific height, you cannot use spacers on top of the stem. The Split Second stem is $119 USD and features high quality fasteners and a clean black finish (also available in a limited edition finish-see site for details).
Check out the Point One Racing Split Second Direct Mount Stem here.
Read on for more information on the Split Second...Point One Racing is known for making parts that are light weight, but ridiculously stiff. Point One prides themselves on how responsive and reliable their parts are, even though they are trying their hardest for weight savings. CNC'd 100% in the USA, the Split Second stem weights in at a meager 137 grams for the 31.8mm clamping diameter, and 125g for the 25.4 clamping diameter.
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Machined with zero degrees of rise and 50mm of reach the Split Second stem gets the rider directly out in front of the bike, making it responsive, but not to short. 50mm seems to be the comfort zone for stems these days. Machined out of aluminum using advanced manufacturing techniques Point One ensures, and can prove through testing, that its stiffness to weight ratio is superior to many options out there. Point One Claims the Split Second to have a stiffness ratio of 8.349 inch pounds per gram.
"The tests are to measure the stems torsional rigidity, or stiffness. So you could say that with 150lbs of force at the end of the handle bar, the stem only flexes 1/10th of an inch at the point of application. We conducted this test with a lot of different stems, then we compared how much each stem flexed to their weight. That’s where the 8.349 number comes from: the stiffness in in/lbs compared to the weight in grams, where stiffness is defined to be proportional to the slope of the graph of the force-deflection curve… " -Point One Racing
A Machined Masterpiece
Point One's Split Second stem uses a 55mm handlebar clamping width, meaning its clamping width is slightly wider than others to displace the impacts more, and resist slipping. The Split Second also uses an integrated top cap design, something some riders may not approve of, however ensures even more weight savings, approximately 20 grams. The only downside to this system is the fact you are forced to cut your head tube in order to use the stem at a specific height, you cannot use spacers on top of the stem. The Split Second stem is $119 USD and features high quality fasteners and a clean black finish (also available in a limited edition finish-see site for details).
Check out the Point One Racing Split Second Direct Mount Stem here.
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As for this stem that is being reviewed, I tend to agree with the later comments in that for that amount of $$$ you should get some level of bling (i.e. different colors, graphics, etc...). Not that I'm into bling on my bikes
Most people when they visually see a stem mounted on a bike look for those exact things you just stated. Colors, graphics, but really, they don't look at the construction. More money is invested into the design of a product, and its structural integrity then graphics, and the overall look. Those are just bi products.
To the blind eye its just a stem, but when mounted its a masterpiece. I haven't seen a steer tube mounted stem that you fit your finger right through behind the bar, ever.
To me that's pretty unique. And the fact that it's weight to strength ratio is so high along with its extremely low weight, i think its a work of art when it comes to 3D machining.
Bling is a statement or taste. One mans 22' wheels is another mans supercharged 440, and both are blinging in their eyes.
And I know what you mean with your reference to "the blind eye". The lower crown on my 888 to the average person looks *stock* and perhaps probably doesn't draw any real attention to it but to the knowledged eye they know otherwise.
Anyway, I have nothing against these guys although I think it may be slightly overpriced for what it is/provides. If I were to get this stem, I might bling it out by using anodized bolts or something.
EXACLTY!!!! good post.
if you want a neato cool color to make you feel special then go ahead and get something else.
But if you like innovative engineering and the lightest stem on the market, then this stem is the blingest stem you can buy. I like parts that are unique, well designed and made to go fast, but others like pink crap on there bikes. Thomson is another good company no-flashy bling, just good solid engineering. to each their own i guess.
Not trying to start anything and I realize you haven't seen it before. But the whole two peice clamp and split design with space behind the bar can be found on a number of comfort bikes...just saying.
I really like the stem and look. But the whole integrated topcap design throws me off a bit. I wonder if you could drill it out, hmmm...
(check my profile for pics of it mounted on my bike)
how are you changing the head angle by using spacers? in order to change the head angle you would need to add spacers between the fork crown and the head tube, otherwise the head angle remains static. i know theres crown races that incorporate a spacer, is this what you mean?
Perhaps instead of phrasing it as "head tube angle" I should have phrased it as "fork angle" or something along those lines?
Or is this something that is only relevant to road bikes? (ref: www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/forklengths.htm")
It's maybe 10 -15 grams heavier and only marginally less stiff.
It cost me 6 bucks US. Retail it would probably be around 30.
Even the flimsiest grasp on physics will tell you that ubershort 0 degree rise stems are decreasing your control over the rear end of your bike.
This is especially true when you have a very slack head angle. (I ride a 68 degree and a 64 degree HA). Making an ultra-short stem without making a similar increase in stem rise is compromising the control over your bike.
One guy at the show told me that taller forks reduce the need for riser bars and steep stems. If you actually do the geometry on paper, you will see that the opposite is the case.
Everybody likes a shorter stem, because bringing the center of gravity back is crucial, but when you move forward, you need more force to unweight your back end. The difference can be dramatic although it's hard to compare if you don't have any options.
The current trend is for short 0deg rise stems and short bars, but this year saw quite a few people interested in 2-3 inch riser bars (hundreds of people took pictures of the 90mm rise 31.8 bar on the bike at our booth).
This may indicate a future shift in trends as people realize once again that only DH only riders really need 0 deg rise and short (40mm) riser bars.
This stem forces the user to cut the steer tube, so when the market shifts back to higher hand positions in about 2-3 years, that fork is going to be a throw-away.
I ride an $890 dollar manitou on my hardtail and a custom 2 step Totem on my susser. Not too inclined to throw those away in a couple years because I cut my steertube down to save 18 grams on a stem.
I base my opinions on my experience riding and a reasonable grasp of math and physics, so my thoughts often differ quite dramatically from those who design products simply for marketing reasons - be they looks or cost cutting.
Sorry for being clear.
www.madsnail.net/images/bikebuild/33_salsa_casseroll_steeringtube4.JPG
it soo much cleaner with the topcap built in. and the stem has a tall stack height, so bacically is the same as running a straitline SSC with spacers on the top and bottom, this is just cleaner and lighter.
There's no way I'm cutting my headtube for any stem